The Florida Senate has unanimously approved Senate Bill 178, also known as the Teddy Bridgewater Bill, aimed at supporting the welfare of student-athletes across the state. The bill allows K-12 coaches to use up to $15,000 of their personal funds annually to aid student-athletes, provided they submit reports detailing these expenses.
Details and Provisions of the Newly Passed Bill
Senate Bill 178 mandates that the Florida High School Athletic Association create bylaws permitting head coaches to spend personal money on student welfare without this being classified as an impermissible benefit. Coaches are required to inform the association about such expenditures to ensure transparency.
The bill received a unanimous vote of 38-0 in the Senate and is now headed to the Florida House of Representatives for consideration. Should it pass there, the legislation will be presented to Governor Ron DeSantis for his approval.
Background: Teddy Bridgewater’s Personal Support for Players
The bill carries the name of NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater, who, while coaching at his alma mater Northwestern High School in Miami, used his own money to cover players’ food and transportation costs. Bridgewater disclosed that he reported these payments but was still suspended by the school for offering financial support.
Bridgewater detailed his personal contributions in a July 2025 social media post, explaining,
Image of: Teddy Bridgewater
“From daily uber rides, to feeding the boys MLK ($1500 a week) every morning following our morning training sessions to feeding the boys catered pasta during the season, to pride sets, to training camp – I cover ALL THE EXPENSES,”
he wrote.
Efforts to Sustain Support Through Fundraising
To continue assisting his team, Bridgewater announced plans to raise funds, stating,
“So today I’m putting together my fundraising packages for individuals looking to donate to the program. You will be able to donate to my foundation personally and funds will be used throughout the season as we get ready to crank up.”
He revealed that he had spent $14,000 for a four-night training camp, which included three hot meals daily and snacks, and $9,500 on uniforms labeled as pride sets to foster a sense of unity among players. Other recurring expenses Bridgewater covered included $300 weekly for field painting, $1,300 per week for recovery trucks that aid player rehabilitation, $2,200 weekly on pre-game meals, and $700 for Uber rides.
Bridgewater’s personal initiatives and challenges in supporting student-athletes have highlighted gaps in existing regulations, motivating lawmakers to pass Senate Bill 178. This legislation aims to prevent situations where coaches or players face penalties for well-intentioned financial assistance, reinforcing protections for student-athletes across Florida.
